In search of the smallest triathletes

Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Lucas Johnson, 12, swims Saturday afternoon during the first part of the Capital City Kids Triathlon at the Carson City Aquatic Center and Mills Park. The 11-12 age group swam 200 meters before biking 2.6 miles and running .8 miles.ALL |

As he looked out over the shimmering pool, Ethan Lepire knew what he wanted to accomplish at the Capital City Kids Triathlon. One year ago, he was in the lead when halfway through the biking section disaster struck.

Ethan fell, lost the lead and wasn’t able to finish the race.

“He wrecked last year on the first lap and didn’t finish and it bothered him,” said father Marc Lepire. “He’s definitely a competitor.”

This year, the 6-year-old from Carson City was hoping for a different result. To finish, Lepire would have to swim 25 yards, bike .8 miles and then run .4 miles.

Ironically, it would the same biking section that had previously been his downfall, that allowed Lepire to expand his lead and finish first with a time of 7:18. Second place went to his friend Nick Fischer with a time of 7:36.

“He did it, he pulled it off,” Marc said.

Nick said he enjoyed his second year in the competition, but still isn’t a fan of one part of the race.

“The running was hard, that’s a long ways,” Nick said.

Eight-year-old McKenna Meyer, of Reno, attributed her victory in the 7-8 division to two things.

“I like the swimming part, because I am on the swim team,” McKenna said. “And I had pizza for breakfast.”

The third annual triathlon is hosted by the Carson City Recreation Division and Fleet Feet. The competition is held at the Carson City Aquatic Center and Mills Park.

The triathlon featured 111 kids ages 6-14 swimming, biking and running against each other and the clock.

“We do it because it’s fun. It’s nerve-racking at times but we just have so much fun. Right there, that’s why we do it,” said Kurt Meyer, recreation operations manager, while pointing at a smiling child.

The distances of the race components were altered based on the age groups. The 7-8 age group swam 50 meters, biked .8 miles and ran .4 miles. The 9-10 age group swam 100 meters, biked 1.3 miles and ran .4 miles. The 11-12 age group swam 200 meters, biked 2.6 miles and ran .8 miles.

As for Ethan, he was just happy he didn’t fall and that his dad and mom, Sharon, were there to watch him compete.